Place your raw chicken halves in a cooler or bucket. Use the bucket if you are putting it in the fridge to brine. Use a cooler if you do not have a fridge big enough to fit them in.

After you placed your chickens in the cooler or bucket, cover the chickens half way and then pour the salt water mixture over the top, along with 2 cups of white vinegar.

Then, cover the rest of the chicken with cold water.

If you are using a cooler you need to put in a bag of ice and close.

Let the chicken sit in the brine overnight. This helps tenderize the meat and will make it juicer when it’s time to cook it.

Rub

The next day, pull out your chicken and pat dry.

Season the underside of the chicken with Magic Dust. This is one of our rubs that we have created in-house. It’s seriously amazing! It does not have any spice to it, so if you want a little kick, you need to add some cayenne to it. Flip the chickens and season the meat side. No need to rub it in – just let it sit.

Plastic Wrap

Place the chicken on a sheet pan and wrap the pan with plastic wrap.

Place in the cooler for 2-3 hours.

OPINION: Some people think chicken should be cooked at room temperature. This means the chicken should be at or close to room temperature before putting on the heat. My thoughts are to experiment. Cooking is all one big experiment anyway! Try it once cold, then try some at room temperature.

Let me know what you think.

Pecan Wood

I use 2 sticks of Pecan or Cherry wood in my smoker. I do not like the intense smoke and flavor of Hickory because it gives chicken a dark color and deep taste. I think it’s fine for beef, but I don’t prefer it for chicken.

We take our wood and cut it to 9 inches. We also split it so it is not as thick.

We only use 2 pieces because we want the initial smoke on the meat but do not want to smoke the whole 2-3 hours .

Cold Cooker

After you pull the chicken out of the fridge (or if it’s room temperature), we are ready to load the smoker. I use a Southern Pride Spk 500 Smoker. It’s digital, uses propane to lite the fire, and burns wood for the smoke.

I put the meat in a cold smoker because I want as much smoke as possible on the chicken to start. In a cold smoker, the fire will burn and the wood will smoke for the entire time the cooker is getting up to the set temperature.

When the temperature reaches 250 degrees, the cooker will shut off until the temperature drops to about 245 degrees, then fire back up.

If you are using a charcoal smoker, you may want to get your temperature to 250 degrees and then put the meat on – this will help avoid the extreme high temps you may encounter when trying to get it up to temperature.

The smoke will continue to roll on those smokers.

250 Degrees

Place the chicken in the smoker bone side down and set your temperature to 250 degrees.

Do not open the smoker for 2 ½ hours. Let it roll!

If you are using a manual smoker where you have to control it, keep an eye on it. Keep it no higher than 260 degrees.

When In doubt, keep it lower than higher.

2 ½ – 3 Hours

Go for 2 ½ hours and then check the internal temperature using an internal meat thermometer. Check the temperature in the breast – it should be at least 155 degrees. It will continue to rise even when removed from the heat.

Cooler Half Sauce – Half Dry Rub

Once you have taken the chicken off the smoker, place them in some butcher paper and drench them in your favorite BBQ sauce. Wrap them in the paper and place in a good cooler – do not open it until you are ready to eat (up to 4-5 hours).

This helps the sauce penetrate the meat and make it more tender.

If you are making this for a crowd, sauce half of the pieces and leave the other half just the dry rub – everyone has different likes and dislikes.

MealFit Salads in Cookeville, TN is the best option for lunch when it comes to nutrition and taste. Not to mention it’s about as quick as going to a drive in.

SALAD BY MEALFIT!

Watch our video.

We know a lot of you like to grab salads, because you assume all are “healthy” at fast food joints. I mean they look it, so of course they have to be. Also, you don’t really pay attention to the price, or what you get because it is quick. Plus, if it’s healthy we automatically think it’s suppose to be priced high. Have you ever stopped to think about the salad that fast food places serve you though? What really goes in them?

THERE’S MORE TO YOUR SALAD THAN MEETS THE EYE AT FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS

A lot of people like to order the salad because they want to “eat light” .However, you have to be careful, because the salad you just ordered could be around 1,700 calories or more. It is also probably loaded with tons of preservatives, sodium, sugar, and harmful chemicals depending on what is on it. To be honest no lettuce looks that good when, it’s that old unless.These days, many fast-food chains offer salads. But that doesn’t mean you could name much of what goes into one. How about propylene glycol? Many chains dust their salads with that chemical to keep the leaves crisp. It’s considered safe for consumption — and can also be found in antifreeze and sexual lubricants.

Yup, not kidding. Salads are total fat (and sugar) traps! Dressings can be bursting with calories, and then to top it off, the cheese, candied nuts, dried fruit, whatever else that may seem like a “light choice” is actually setting you back more than you would think!

MEAT IS CHEMICALLY CLEANED…

Chemicals we normally associate with cleaning are purposefully put into fast-food meat. Why? Compounds like ammonium hydroxide can damage e. coli and other organisms. They also lower the acidity of meats and other foods, making it difficult for pathogens to survive. Is the practice safe? The USDA says yes. Does the idea of eating chemically washed meat in your salad sound good?

MEALFIT SALADS- Where healthy means tasty!

At MealFit Salads, our salad is fresh daily. We are known for having healthy paleo, gluten free, dairy free, low carb, low sodium, and made from scratch options on our salads.

How It works!

Come in and get your to go container.

Make your salad as large or as small as you would like.

Make your way to the counter and weigh your salad.

Grab a Free bottled water if you are Tennessee Tech Student our staff member.

Also, free fruit for kids!

Here Are Some Highlights!

Smoked chicken! (We smoke it right here)

Real Bacon.

5 made from scratch dressings.

Mealfit famous Broccoli Salad

Homemade chicken salad that is made from a 3 ingredient made from scratch mayo.

Salad of the week. A new salad every week that has new items on the salad bar without getting rid of our classic items.

We can never seem to get around going without some kind of bread, but we have news for you. We have finally developed a bread that is grain free, gluten free, healthy, and it taste great. This recipe will show you how to make gluten free and grain free bread. We hope you try it out.

Plantain Sandwich Bread (Gluten Free, Grain Free)

Ingredients:

2 Large green plantains (2 pounds total)
-Peel and chop
-Add them to the food processor and spin.

4 Tablespoons avocado oil

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Teaspoon baking soda

Chicken Breast

Tomato

Mayonnaise

Mixed Greens

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Put in food processor until it makes a batter

Spray your waffle iron until with coconut oil

Take a 1/3 c Measuring cup and pour in batter

Let cook 5-7 min (Depending on your iron)

Slice a homegrown tomato

Thinly slice some cooked chicken breast

Add some mayo to your “bread”

Add the tomato

Add some salt and pepper

Add some spring mix

Add your chicken

Top with the bread, slice and enjoy!!

Yes! It’s as good as it looks! Get healthy with this healthy recipe. Try it and let us know what you think.

Homemade pesto is 1,000 times better than the store bought stuff. Check out the MealFit recipe for homemade Pesto below. Every one loved this at MealFit ready, and it is best Pesto you will ever eat. Now you can make it at home for your family! Here is a simple recipe. Note that pesto is always made to taste, based on the ingredients at hand. So adjust the ingredients to your taste.You may add cheese and peppers to the top for garnishment, like the one below.

Pesto

¾ c. FRESH Basil

3 tbsp of Pine Nuts

1 Garlic Clove

¾ tsp Lemon juice

¼ tsp salt

3 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor

When combined, slowly add in Olive Oil.

Enjoy!

Please let us know how much you love this pesto by commenting below and share the pictures of your dishes with us on social media… be sure to tag us #mealfit and @mealfit

Click here to subscribe to the blog for other great recipes like this one that you are sure to love!

Get ready because these wings are about to blow your taste buds with flavor. You don’t believe me? You have heard it before? Well, you never have had things wings. The best flavor and everything we love about finger lickin’ good sauces and wings. We got honey, we got smoked, we got lemon, we got lime, and we GOT CHICKEN WINGS.

It’s always a right time for chicken wings, and today is National Chicken Wing Day! Summertime is here, and it’s the perfect time and weekend to cook this simple chicken wing recipe. Oh, and did I mention it’s also a healthy chicken wing recipe? This recipe has it all, and I will walk you thru each step of this DIY wing sauce with awesome pics.

Do you find yourself wanting a savory home cooked meal at the end of a long day… only to realize you are to tired or too busy to cook? Well we have the solution to your problem!

Here is a list of chart topping slow cooker soup recipes that are simple to make, taste great, and will save you tons of time.And the best part is that dinner will be ready and waiting when you walk through the door.
(Also, these Slow Cooker liners are a game changer in our home when it comes to clean up)

1. Slow Cooker Cheater Pork Stew by Nom Nom Paleo

This is a great hearty stew that goes together quickly. We bet your whole family will love this one! Get the recipe here.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup by Cooking Classy

3. Slow Cooker Cioppino by The Seasoned Mom

This is an easy, family-friendly slow cooker seafood soup that is full of lean protein, nutritious vegetables, and fresh Italian flavors. It’s a one-pot meal that the entire family will love! Get the recipe here.

4. Chicken Tortilla Soup by Back to Her Roots

Are you looking to throw a little spice into your life? This flavor packed tortilla soup will absolutely hit the spot! We bet you will go for seconds! Get the recipe here.

5. Beef Enchilada Soup by The Weary Chef

Craving enchiladas for dinner? This is the easiest way to enjoy beef enchiladas with the whole family! Get the recipe here.

6. Chicken Tikka Masala by The Roasted Root

This is a twist on a classic Indian dish of tender chicken lavished in creamy tomato Indian-spiced sauce. Give this one a shot and you will not be disappointed! Get the recipe here.

BONUS RECIPE!!!!

Cheeseburger Soup by Creme de la Crumb

Now if you are strict Paleo, Zone, or Whole30, this may not be one for your… but we are sure you know someone who would love it! Get the recipe here.